NBA's labor problems lead Fran Vázquez to spurn the Orlando Magic yet again

The former Magic first-round draft pick on Tuesday extended his contract with Regal FC Barçelona by one year to run through the 2011-12 season, ending the Magic's immediate hopes of adding Vázquez to their roster.

But Vázquez's Spain-based agent, José Cobelo, said in a phone interview with the Orlando Sentinel on Tuesday that his client would be interested in joining the Magic after his contract with Barçelona ends — assuming the NBA's labor woes are cleared up by that time.

"Of course Fran would give serious consideration to the Magic," Cobelo said. "That has been his intention all of these years. He signed with Barçelona for a year to keep that door open. Once we get a tangible offer we will evaluate it. Unfortunately, we can't do that now with the potential of a lockout lurking."

Indeed, the NBA's current collective bargaining agreement with its players is set to expire on July 1, and a lockout seems all but inevitable.

If there is a truncated season or if the season must be scuttled altogether, players will not get paid for missed games.

"The Magic, with the potential of a lockout, weren't a viable option for Fran," Cobelo said. "We don't know with any degree of certainty what the conditions would be or whether he'd get to play [any games because of the labor situation]."

Regal FC Barçelona announced Vázquez's extension on its English-language website, and Cobelo confirmed the length of the extension.

Vázquez, 28, was selected by the Magic with the 11th overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft and has never signed with the team.

The Magic will continue to hold his NBA rights.

Magic team officials had hoped Vázquez would make the jump to the NBA this summer because his contract with Barçelona was about to expire.

But General Manager Otis Smith and Assistant General Manager Dave Twardzik said all along that the NBA's uncertain labor situation would play a role in Vázquez's decision.

Smith did not return a phone call Tuesday.

"In an ideal situation, we'd like to sign him," Smith said in March.

"But with the CBA, it's not in his best interest to sign a contract if there is a work stoppage. What if? I'm not saying that there will be, but what if? Then he misses an opportunity to play and make money, at least for a while. That's the rub."